Anglers asked to take more care after death of swan tangled in line

Bird has to be put down after leg badly damaged

A swan had to be put to sleep after being caught in fishing line at Kinghorn Loch.

The death of the loch’s resident male swan has prompted calls for those fishing in the area to act responsibly.

A spokesperson for Craigencalt Rural Community Trust, which maintains the loch, said the swan’s mate now faces a struggle to incubate her eggs alone.

“We would remind people who want to fish that there are restricted areas for fishing and that it is illegal to put out set lines,” said the spokesperson.

“Only proper equipment should be used and great care should be taken to ensure that no discarded line or hooks should be left lying anywhere, as this can be a danger to both wildlife and people.”

Last year, the swans successfully raised four cygnets.

The spokesperson added: “This outcome will have a very adverse effect on its female mate, who will struggle to protect and incubate her eggs, as she will have to leave the nest to feed.”

The male swan, who has been on the loch for around three years, was discovered last week trapped by a mass of fishing line wrapped around his right leg.

Residents from Craigencalt Farm went out in a canoe and freed him but could not get close enough to remove all the line.

Members of Kirkcaldy Canoe Club later took out the club’s safety boat and accompanied by an officer from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) managed to remove all the fishing line.

But yesterday it was noticed that the swan could not use his right leg and the SSPCA took the bird to its National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross.

SSPCA animal rescue officer Bob Ward said: “The line was wrapped so tight that it caused nerve damage and loss of circulation to the leg.

“The local canoe club at Kinghorn Loch were great and with their help the swan was caught. Sadly it was so badly injured the kindest thing was to put the bird to sleep.

“We urge the public to be more careful with their fishing hooks and line when disposing of them as we deal with so many similar incidents on a weekly basis.”

The line was wrapped so tight that it caused nerve damage and loss of circulation to the leg. BOB WARD ANIMAL RESCUE OFFICER

A swan had to be put down after it became tangled in fishing line at Kinghorn Loch.